I remember my first days at school, when I was studying mechanics and I was studying the wonderful 8086 Assembler language on the first programming courses. I remember also that some of my friends was fascinating on programming robots, but instead I was never too much attracted on these types of "creatures"... 
I've always preferred to program software solution instead of working with the hardware.
This was the past, but the present could be a bit different: the new Microsoft Robotics Group today (at the RoboBusiness 2006 Conference) has announced Microsoft Robotics Studio, a new suite that makes it possible to program (or simulate) real world robots with .NET (.NET 2.0 and DirectX is required).
As announced today, "Microsoft Robotics Studio includes a visual programming tool, making it easy to create and debug robot applications. Robotics Studio enables developers to generate modular services for hardware and software, allowing users to interact with robots through Web-based or Windows-based interfaces. Developers can also simulate robotic applications using realistic 3D models".
This is undoubtely fascinating, a new way to play with the wonderful world of .NET! 